In Loving Memory of
Nestor Joseph Mostowy
of Grande Prairie, Alberta
November 5, 1932 - April 17, 2021
The family of Nestor “Nes” Joseph Mostowy, is saddened to announce his passing on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at the age of 88 years.
A true son of the prairies, Nes was born in November 1932, to parents Michael and Mary Mostowy, at the farm of his grandparents in Goodeve, Saskatchewan. His father was a railroad man and the family lived in a number of small villages along the CPR rail route in southwestern Saskatchewan until settling in Swift Current in 1948 and where Nes later graduated from high school in 1951.
Nes followed a lifelong dream from his days as an Air Cadet during World War II by joining the RCAF at 20 years of age. Training began for Nes in 1953 in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec. Here Nes also learned patience at a base Saturday evening social when he asked Airwoman Margaret Cliff to dance, and she said no. After basic, Nes spent six months in Clinton, Ontario for training as a Radar Performance Checker (Ground) and then off to a posting in Sept Îles, Québec (Station Moisie). Returning to Clinton for his second six-month training in Radar Technician (Ground) brought a new chance for Nes with Marg. The ice melted quickly and they became inseparable during their posting in Clinton, Ontario. In 1955 wedding bells rang for the lovebirds on September 17th.
Nes was posted to Winnipeg and the posting brought many professional opportunities for Nes including a temporary duty assignment in Saskatoon, a six-month radar technician GCA course at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, and a Russian language course at the University of Manitoba. However, the best part of Winnipeg was Michael joining the family in the fall of 1956. Nes was later sent to Biloxi for a second professional opportunity, a six-month TACAN training course. Marg and Michael joined Nes during his training in Biloxi. From Biloxi, the family was posted to North Bay, Ontario and then later to Comox, British Columbia. Comox, Nes’ final posting in the service was where their son Murray joined the family in December 1962 to make their family truly complete.
Nes retired from the air force in June 1963 taking with him the knowledge and experience he gained in the military to the private sector. As a happy by-product of all the travel during 10 years of RCAF service, Nes and Marg formed lasting friendships in many Canadian cities across the country.
Nes had become a specialist in radar electronics, while in the military, with an eye to developing his future career. This knowledge and experience would serve him well when he left the service. As Nes eased into civilian life, the family took some well-earned vacation time with relatives in Calgary where Nes reviewed employment opportunities that matched his highly qualified expertise.
EMI (Electronic Materials International) in Ottawa won out but only until opportunities beckoned at CAE’s (Canadian Aviation Electronics) Winnipeg headquarters. This was a full-service defense company operating in 35 countries. His employment with CAE included a six-month USAF contract that sent Nes and family to Fort Nelson, British Columbia. Here they added “true northern life” to their experiences. Nes stayed with CAE until the company’s move to Montréal. The University of Manitoba then added specialized research credentials to Nes’ portfolio where he was employed in studying microwave technology.
Nes and family returned to Ottawa when he accepted a civil servant position with DND (Department of National Defense) at NDHQ. By now, the word was circulating that Transport Canada was hiring electrical engineers and radar technologists for a major project of national importance. This was the kind of opportunity Nes had been working towards during his time spent in the air force.
In, and then out of the service, Nes had found his niche, playing a vital role in Transport Canada’s RAMP (Radar Modernization Program). He was hired as RAMP’s Project Manager and oversaw the complete replacement of the, then, antiquated radar systems that included 41 major airports across Canada. He traveled extensively in Canada, the U.S. and Europe for consultations for RAMP. While at Transport Canada, Nes’ learning was ongoing and Quality Assurance certification was added to his qualifications. After a 10-year stint and the program winding down, Nes thought independent contracting would provide a transition into semi-retirement. Contracting kept Nes busy until 1993 when Nes and Marg were ready to realize their dream of full retirement in beautiful Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.
Knowing Nes, it is not surprising to learn he grew restless, and with his skills in demand, contracted to SIMPOWER in 1995 as Manager Quality Assurance. SIMPOWER achieved its company goal of ISO9002 certification in 1996, and Nes retired permanently in 1998. Retirement once again beckoned with Marg in Nanaimo. In 2020, Nes and Marg moved to Grande Prairie, Alberta, to be closer to family.
Along the way, Nes touched many lives. He will be remembered as kind, loyal and gregarious. These were the qualities that made him a great team player – baseball in summer and, his great passion, curling during the winter with club champion teams. As sweeping became a challenge, he switched to 5-pin bowling which he excelled at well into his 80s, until COVID shut it down.
Nestor will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 65 years Margaret (nee Cliff); son Michael (Kim) and grandchildren: Rachael and Troy; son Murray (Donna); brother Duff Roman (Sandra); nephews: John Roman and Joel Mostoway (Diana); and grandnieces Caroline and Emily.
He was predeceased by his brother Ray Mostoway (Bernice).
The family would like to thank the teams of 4 South and 5 North at the QEII Hospital for the wonderful care Nes received while in hospital and the Home Care team that provided the amazing medical support that helped keep Nes home with his family for so long. A special thanks as well to Dr. Bartie and team for their unwavering and excellent care.
On April 20, Nes was cremated.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, August 18th, 2021 at 2:00pm, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grande Prairie, AB (10404 102 Street) with Father Remi Hebert CSsR presiding. A livestream of the service will be available on Essential Cremations Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/EssentialCremations
Inurnment will follow at the columbarium of their former parish, St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in Nanaimo, BC.
